A cartoon once showed the legendary image of soldiers struggling to raise an American flag on Iwo Jima. The caption read, “Are we putting it up, or taking it down?” Similarly, I ask on behalf of the human race, “Are we advancing, or sinking?”

All over the world, thanks to the spread of factory farms and meat trade, cruelty on animals is on the rise. Dr. Sahadeva dasa's recently released book "We Feel - Just Like You Do" is trying to counteract these sad tendencies by shedding light on the inner life of the animals.

It’s often the case that we take some aspect of ourselves, or others, more seriously that we should; our sexuality, our nationality, our religion, or our position. And our mistake causes suffering to others.

Author Priyavrata Das’ hope is that these affirmations will give people the solace, strength, and the wisdom they need to succeed in life as well help remind them just how awesome they are as a spirit soul.

A common observation by both the secular media and internal critics about ISKCON today is that while it is providing a home away from home for many Indian nationals, it is reaching less young Americans, as Srila Prabhupada desired.